2010 Hillsdale News FLAG
IssueTopIssue #135
Posted August 30, 2014   
Also in This Issue
* Micro-Transit to be explored
* Bud Lewis' 57 years here
* Transportation chair OK with detour now

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Views of the News 

Guaranteeing
 choices in November 

Quick now, who represents you in the Olympia TypewriterState Legislature? How about in the State Senate?

Clueless? I would probably be too if I didn't write about these folks from time to time.

So how can we make our state rep and state senator a little more real to us? The day may come when we might want to chat. A few topics: School funding, inequitable taxes, crowded prisons, rising insurance rates....

One way way to bring us all closer together is to make sure that "safe" incumbents aren't the only ones running for office, as is the case today here in Hillsdale.

I'm not saying the four representing this area aren't doing a good job, but I am saying that their being opposed at the polls can only make our government more responsive and transparent.

Which brings us to Ballot Measure 90, which will be on the ballot this November

In our area, the three local legislators up for election this year ran unopposed in last May's Democratic primary. The Republicans didn't even field candidates here in May.

So the three will be unopposed this November. In essence they have been re-elected before the election.

Why? This area is heavily Democratic. Republicans write it off. And because the legislators are incumbents they have a seemingly insurmountable advantage, particularly when it comes to campaign money.

Here's another question: Even if you know who your legislators are, do you know enough about them to know whether they are actually doing a good job? Could this be a debatable question?

Contested campaigns, and yes, debates, can help answer the question.

Measure 90 will require incumbents to do what they are supposed to do in a democracy: campaign.

The measure calls for an open primary for all candidates and all voters. It guarantees that there will be a contest in the fall by calling for the top two vote-getters in the primary to be on the November ballot. The general election has a much higher turn-out than the primary. The two November contestants can even be from the same party ... and likely would be in this area. In rural Oregon the November opponents would likely be Republicans.

Unlike in today's closed primaries (note the plural) in an open primary (singular), any registered voter can vote for anyone, regardless of party. That means that those running would have to appeal to a broad, less partisan, diverse electorate.... It's likely that the ultimate winner would, accordingly, be more truly representative.

Surprise, surprise, the two major political parties oppose the measure. It would mean that their politically safe, predictable districts, such as ours, might see other people getting involved in the process. Gone would be the foregone conclusions for November. The candidates would have to campaign to win.

For the voter, Measure 90 throws open the door and let's fresh air blow in. It gives us more reason to get involved in democracy.

And more of us might be compelled to at least know who represents us...if only because we actually had the chance to choose them over someone else.

Back to my first question...Who are our representatives in Salem? Depending on where you live in Hillsdale your state representative is either Jennifer Williamson (District 36) or Ann Lininger (District 38). A small portion of Hillsdale is represented by Senator Richard Devlin (Senate District 19), shown in blue on the map below.)

State Senator Ginny Burdick  (Senate District 18 )isn't up for election this year but her district is shown in green.



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Demolition day arrives at Hillsdale Baskin-Robbins.
Demolition inspires farewell ice cream flavors

Wednesday, August 20, was Demolition Day on Capitol Highway in Hillsdale.

While Baskin-Robbins 31 Flavors was reduced to rubble, creative minds went to work to tastefully mark the occasion.

In response to last month's story about the pending razing of the 47-year-old structure, readers submitted demolition "flavors."

"Rum Razin'," anyone?

Here are this judge's favorite "demolition flavors"
Before....
among the many submitted:

New Develop-Mint

Crunchy Credit Union Delight (Note: OnPoint credit union will be a tenant in the building, which should be ready for occupancy in February)

Jamoca Almond Frustration

Neighborhood Nutty Noise (as in... construction site pile-driving, now complete)

Caramel with Cashew Residue

Reese's Pieces of Building Crunch

Demolition Fudge

Rum razin'

Chocolate Fudge Destruction

Crash-down
.....after.


Wham Bam

What a Wreck Sundae

Butter pecan-be-gone

Cookie d'oh (as Homer Simpson would say).

Pralines 'n Cream Now a Dream Ice Cream

Custard's Last Stand

31 Be Gone Chocolate Fudge

S'm-ores No more.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, as construction moves forward on the new Ward Building, Ardys Braidwood, co-owner of the building and the property with her two brothers, is working on finding two tenants to join the OnPoint Credit Union early next year.

Good news for those drawn to cool stuff you can lick: Braidwood is especially interested in finding an ice cream or yoghurt shop to replace Baskin-Robbins. Braidwood said she is nearing completion of paperwork with another tenant for the new building and will announce who it is when final documents are signed.
Hillsdale Micro-Transit topic of Sept. 10 meeting at library
Also on Sept. 3 HNA agenda
 
The idea of creating a free, volunteer-operated, Hillsdale "micro-transit" system using private cars is moving forward with an organizational/brain-storming meeting set for 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the Hillsdale Branch Library.

The Hillsdale Neighborhood Association HNA will also discuss the idea at its Wednesday, Sept. 3 meeting at St. Barnabas Church, 2201 SW Vermont at 7 p.m.

In the last issue of The Hillsdale News, the "Views of the News" commentary floated the idea of having a non-profit transit "app"-driven micro-transit system similar to the private Uber and Lyft enterprises.

In response, three people expressed interest in exploring the concept. One volunteered to be a driver.

As a result, the small group decided to convene the Sept. 10 meeting.

The exploratory group meeting in mid-August identified several broad issues to be considered if a Hillsdale "micro-transit" is to take to the road.
 
* Liability and insurance matters relating to drivers, passengers and the use of private automobiles.
* Hours of operation of available service.
* Passenger donations to the Hillsdale Community Foundation and meeting volunteer costs.
* Size of service area. Should it extend beyond Hillsdale to, say, Bridlemile?
* Passenger-driver scheduling technology needs and costs.
* Potential synergies with other neighborhood institutions such as the Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) and the schools.
* Governmental and regulatory requirements.
* Market demand.
* Driver training.
 
The group hopes that those attending the meeting on Sept. 10 will bring their own questions and help research answers.

Glenn Bridger, chair of the HNA Transportation committee, noted that the micro-transit idea may fit with past committee visioning about establishing a Hillsdale Jitney service. He asked that the micro-transit idea be presented at the September HNA meeting.
Hillsdale's Bud Lewis recalls...

A Windmill, View-Masters, flying debris and friends - so many friends
        
Bud Lewis has lived in Hillsdale for 58 of his 94 years. If he had it all to do again, he'd do it exactly the same way.

Hillsdale is where he'd be, sitting on his west-facing deck with its expansive view of the Tualatin Valley and the Coast Range.

"I want to die on that deck," he exclaims. "You can see to infinity from there."

Bud is an exuberant man. When he isn't on his deck these warm summer days, his schedule is packed with setting out to meet with  friends. He drives a new Nissan sports sedan to get from place to place. He likes to emphasize the "sports" part.

The name suits both man and car. "I'm as busy as a one-armed paperhanger!" he says.

I caught up with Bud at one of his favorite haunts, the sidewalk snacking stoop at Zupan's on West Burnside. As he nurses coffee and cup of oatmeal, a steady stream of regulars stops to say hello. All are greeted by a warm, engulfing hand shake.

He spots in-coming friends at a distance and is quick with a loud "Good to see you!" "How you doin'?"

I sat down with Bud to invite him to share four or five highlights from his time in Hillsdale. We packed 60 minutes with 60 years - or tried to. He spoke of a wayward elk, packs of coyotes, a windmill and more.

First, he needed to set the stage. Where to begin?

He was born in Alberta in 1920 and was 3 when his family settled in Portland because on their way to Oakland from Idaho, Portland was where they ran out of money. "Thank goodness it was here!" he says.

He was a teen during the hard-scrabble Great Depression.

Bud, a World War II Army veteran, fought in the Pacific. "I helped defend Australia from the Japanese," he says proudly.

At war's end he married Janet Spencer (on Oct. 13, 1945 to be exact). Eleven years later they moved to Hillsdale. The couple had two children, Greg and Diane, both graduates of Robert Gray and Wilson.

Janet died a year ago January and Diane now lives with Bud in the house on Washouga that Bud and Janet build and where Greg and Diane grew up.

For 31 years Bud served in the Portland police department, where he was the director of the safety education program in the schools and then commander of the Sunshine Division, which provides emergency relief to needy families. Bud is now into his 51st year on the Sunshine Division's board.

On the side, he also taught Hillsdale teens how to drive. He was with one of his charges driving in Beaverton on windy Columbus Day in 1962 when a piece of sheet metal flew by the windshield. Teacher and student were suddenly in the middle of the legendary Columbus Day storm. "I think we should head home," Bud suggested to his young charge.

Bud spent the rest of the day on police duty checking on how Portland was surviving in the storm's aftermath of downed trees and shattered glass.

One of Bud's driving students was Gretchen Gruber. Her family lived in Hillsdale, and it was right here in Hillsdale that her father, William, co-invented the View-Master, a stereoscopic viewer which became a popular device in mid-century homes. View-Master had its headquarters in Progress, not far from where Washington Square is today. 

In 1957, the year after Janet and Bud Lewis moved into their house (they bought the lot on the then-dirt road for $2,650), neighbors  spotted a stunning three-point bull elk down at Sunset Boulevard and 27th. The creature was too big and strong to bring down with a tranquilizer dart so the game warden had to shoot it.

 Another time a pheasant collided with one of the Lewis family's big bay windows. Bud gave the big bird to his neighbor who was particularly pleased to get it for a feast because it came without buckshot.

Coyotes have always been part of the neighborhood fauna, Bud says. He figures they always will be because they are so smart. "They can adapt to any kind of living condition."

When Bud and Janet moved to Hillsdale, a trailer court still provided hospitality at the corner of Capitol Highway and and Sunset where the RE/Max Equity office is today. And on the site of the Wardin Building, now under construction, was the Dutch Mill Restaurant with its landmark Windmill.

Lynch's Market, where Food Front is, was a gathering spot in the small but rapidly changing community, Bud recalls. "Hillsdale just grew like topsy," he says as if still surprised by what has happened here.

Bud says that for him, Hillsdale has always been a "core community" and a great place to raise a family. A plus has been its proximity to downtown, the Multnomah Athletic Club and his countless friends.

And he feels that with time and improved ways to communicate, the community has only grown stronger.

"How lucky I've been," he says. "How lucky I've been."

Briefly

Transportation chair OK with Bertha detour after tour of BES work site and signage changes

A visit to a site of traffic confusion convinced the neighborhood's transportation chair that a round-about detour on Bertha Boulevard is necessary, after all. 
 
Many northbound Bertha Boulevard drivers have failed to see signs redirecting them to Vermont Street and then 30th in order to go westbound on on Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway. Instead, passing through the Vermont intersection they hit a detour off Bertha Boulevard to Bertha Court. At the top of Bertha Court, they discovered there no way to turn left to get on B-H Highway.

The Hillsdale Neighborhood Association transportation chair Glenn Bridger wrote city traffic engineers at the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) to complain. He called for flaggers to be used to allow traffic to follow its normal route taking drivers on Bertha Boulevard under the Bertha viaduct and onto B-H Highway.

But after a tour of a BES construction site with a BES community relations specialist Becky Tillson, Bridger concluded the lane closure and detour, while unfortunate, was the safest solution to the problem.

Some signage was improved in answer to Bridger and others' complaints. Police are also patrolling the area more frequently for traffic enforcement.

Work at the site at the headwaters of Fanno Creek continues, but the closure of the segment of Bertha Boulevard will vary depending on the location of work on Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway. Hours of that work will vary but be limited to workdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Any changes in the schedule and traffic routing will be announced in traffic media advisories.

The work is expected to be complete in late September, said Tillson.

Visit the project's web site for updates. www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/fannooutfall 


RE/MAX Equity Group installs new glass

Not long after The Hilllsdale News reported that RE/MAX Equity Group had ordered special glass to replace the plywood patches on vandalized windows, the glass arrived and was  installed. Some had complained that the plywood, after being in place six weeks, was becoming an eye-sore.  
 
Wilson field to be ready for home opener

After more than three months' construction, the new $1.2 million Wilson Football field will be ready for the high school's home opener on Friday, Sept. 19, said Erica Meyer, the school's business manager.

She said that there will be a celebration of the field's renovation at the game.

Wilson athletes will play football and soccer on the new artificial turf. 
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Date Book    
   
Wednesday, Sept. 3 

Neighborhood Association weighs Hillsdale Micro-Transit 
  
7 p.m. St. Barnabas Church, 2201 Vermont St. At the monthly Hillsdale Neighborhood Association meeing, neighbors are invited to discuss the feasibility of a volunteer HIllsdale Micro-Transit service. 
 
Saturday, Sept. 6

Usual Suspects welcome help with neighborly litter patrol

9 a.m., Food Front veranda. One hour of fun litter patrolling in the Hillsdale Town Center followed by breakfast sandwiches and coffee courtesy of Food Front. All welcome!

Wednesday, Sept. 10

Hillsdale Micro-Transit meeting

6:30 p.m., Hillsdale Branch Library. Meeting to consider establishing a volunteer Hillsdale Micro-Transit service. See story above.  

Friday, Sept. 12

Grand Opening of the Neighborhood House Children's Center

1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Neighborhood House Children's Center, 6650 SW Capitol Highway. Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler will cut the ribbon as part of the grand opening celebration of the just completed center, a new home for Neighborhood House's model Head Start Program. The center is adjacent to and part of the new Stephens Creek Crossing affordable housing development.

 

Saturday, Sept. 13

Urban Trails river, bridge walk

9 a.m. sharp behind the Wilson High bleachers. Lee Buhler will lead a walk of about six miles with little elevation gain.   Carpool to the National College of Natural Medicine to walk to the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade. The route is on both sides of the Willamette River, crossing several river bridges.  Bring a snack and water and dress for the weather. Well behaved, leashed dogs are allowed.   No smoking. For more information, contact Sharon Fekety, [email protected] Sponsored by Hillsdale Neighborhood Association. 

 

Thursday, Sept. 18

Panitch shares civil rights memories 

  

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Mittleman Jewish Community Center.
Hillsdale resident Arnie Panich talks about his wide-ranging and far-flung experiences in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.  
 
Saturday, Sept. 27

   Walk to celebrate Eagle Point

9 a.m., start behind the Wilson High School Bleachers. SWTrails leads a five-mile walk to celebrate the recent acquisition by The City of Portland and Portland Parks and Recreation of the Eagle Point property on Terwilliger Parkway.  At 10 a.m there will be exhibits and refreshments.  The walk will be led by Sharon Fekety and Virginia Hendrickson. Bring a snack and water and dress for the weather.  For more information, contact Sharon Fekety. [email protected]  For more information on the property acquisition, go to the Friends of Terwilliger web site, www.terwilligerfriends.org

Sunday, Sept. 28

Sunday Parkways comes to Southwest Portland

11 a.m. - 4 p.m. (6 miles). Walk, run or bike the scenic route, including a new SWTrails walk-only trail. Route includes Gabriel Park, Multnomah Village and Hillsdale Shopping Center for food, music, and activities. For more information go HERE.

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Pro Bono 

Help sought for children's programs

Neighborhood House seeks your help in funding a new school-based program at Hayhurst Elementary School that will serve low-income children, many of whom come from the newly opened Stephens Creek Crossing housing project.

Contributions also support one-on-one counseling for high school students at risk of dropping out, as well as
Neighborhood House's weekly food pantry at Cesar Chavez K-8 School.

Please click HERE to donate or look for a back-to-school mailer in your mailbox shortly.

Wanted: Your "Pre-owned" bag, sachel or wallet to help the arts in the Wilson Cluster

It's time for the annual "IN THE BAG" fundraiser for the Wilson Arts Council. Here's how it works.

* Donate your purse, bag, wallet, briefcase.

* Drop-off sites are: Paloma Clothing, Hillsdale (20 percent off any one non-sale item per donation); KeyBank, Hillsdale; Erica Meyer's Wilson High office; Switch Shoes & Clothing, Multnomah Village (receive 20% off coupon); Gifford Family Dentistry, Hillsdale, and  Gabriel Park Veterinary Clinic, across from the Southwest Community Center.

* Deadline for donations is Nov. 5.

* Patronize the IN THE BAG sale on Sunday, Nov. 9 at O'Connors Restaurant in Multnomah Village. 

Questions: Linda Doyle, [email protected].  Check out our Facebook page for donated items at: https://www.facebook.com/InTheBagPDX

A swap event to help Boxes of Love Project


The "Naked Lady Party" Clothing Swap is a free social event for local moms on Friday, Sept. 12, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Westside Academy of Kung Fu and CrossFit Hillsdale, 1509 SW Sunset Boulevard (enter on Cheltenham). Bring clean women's clothing to the swap.  Also, bring select housewares and children's clothes that are in exceptional condition. Donations of children's clothing to The Boxes of Love Project (benefits children just entering the foster care system) will be collected at this event.  Quality used or new items accepted for children of all ages.

Contact: Lara Jones, [email protected]